If taking care of yourself meant going no contact and you not only sacrifice your mother but your daughter too, would—or even could you do it? It takes courage.Ever read a blog post so real, so relatable that you wanted to meet its author? I was lucky enough to do just that in MDTA’s first guest interview with author Heather Valentine, creator of Substack’s Elastic Heart. Get ready to feel like a fly on the wall as you encounter the vicissitudes and internal victories of her life. Here, we get deep but don’t worry Academicians*, Heather knows how to swim…As I read,“1997 Mother’s Day,” I saw a woman who has lived through the trials, tribulations and challenges of transcending Mama Drama Trauma. In it, Heather exposes her vulnerability in dealing with the most excruciating parts of her journey. Well written, sure, but I wasn’t expecting this bright little summer read to enlighten me so much about how MDT can develop empathy, what it takes to build courage for self-care, and the transformative power of reframing maternal burdens into blessings. A journey far from easy, I had to invite this authentically witty and unintentionally wise author (and person as you will hear), who gets it.Another author and speaker I adore is spiritual mystic and medical intuitive, Carolyn Myss who teaches about the difference between fate and destiny. She says fate is tied to “we” and survival which is taught by the family, but destiny is about “I” which is something we must define through individual soul alignment. MDT healing is a lifelong journey to the destiny of “I” which in my experience can take multiple lifetimes. In it, we eventually choose to align by integrating the experience as another form of love. This love is not the kind of we are or are not taught, but the countless internal actions we choose to transform it into the love we need.We hear a lot about brain plasticity and the power of changing our thoughts but that is impossible without stretching the heart from “we” to “I” and back to “we” after integrating or growing from the pain—every heroine’s journey.That’s the heart elasticity Heather Valentine shares.So, If you are on the brink of giving up on yourself, the uphill journey to personal peace or life in general listen to her story. You can also download the Substack app for easy reading, listening and to engage on the chat.MDT Academy Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Podcast theme song: The Pretenders I’m a MotherI'm a motherTreat me like a motherYou wanna suck on my breastIt's no surprise you doI'm the source and the forceYou owe your life to, brotherOhOhOhI'm a motherAnd I take like a motherI understand bloodAnd I understand painThere can be no life without itNever doubt itI'm a motherI gave you all my moneyTo help the familyBut what you do to meDon't humiliate meRememberI'm a life-long memberOhOhOhI'm a motherTreat me like a motherIn the middle of the nightI be deep in a dreamYou fancy little companyYou only have to screamLoud, brotherOhOhOhI'm a motherAnd I fake like a motherI understand timeAnd it isn't on my sideBut to service mankindI have to suffer his prideLike a motherOhOhOhYou say your protectionIs proof of your affectionIf I need securityI'll keep a gun on meOhDon't barter with meDon't barter with meLittle sacrificesGo straight to heavenBut hunting season's overThis is the 20th centuryOhDon't barter with meOhOhOhI'm a motherAnd I ache like a motherIf there's a terrible crashAnd bodies thrown everywhereI'll wrap 'em up and carry 'emIf someone has to bury themBrotherOhOhOhCall upon motherI'm the vessel of lifeI got the trauma here to prove itWhen it's time for me to labour for youEverybody move itLike a motherOhOhOhHave something instructive, entertaining or inquisitive to share with us this summer session? Do let me know. Happy summer reading!*Academician = MDTA subscriberMama Drama Trauma Healing Oracle Deck (each deck includes: PDF guidebook, free 8-part how to read the deck video playlist, and free one on one introductory video call with Tammy) is our foundational tool supporting a daily practice of living in loving detachment based on the core teaching of divinity identity).SocialsMDT Sound Therapy (session songs playlist)MDTA InstagramYouTube Get full access to MDT Academy Newsletter at mamadramatrauma.substack.com/subscribe
